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4/21/2025 9:51:25 AM

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Section 23: Gun Collecting
Subject: Expensive pistol, So-so photos Msg# 1224029

From:

Mark Freburg Forum Manager

Joined 4/3/2000

To:

Harvey Goldman (Read)

Joined 1/9/2001

While it is obvious to me that this is a Commercial Model, the seller "hints" at this being a military model...

I may be giving the seller too much credit for being a decent human being BigGrin , but some sellers are much better at blather than at knowing what they are actually selling. I saw an auction last week where a guy was trying to sell an Argentine Sistema 1927 as being a U.S. Military 1911 as it had a "U.S. flaming bomb property mark." Roll Eyes

For reference, the above message is a reply to a message where:
I didn't see any military markings on the gun but the pictures were so poorly focused I might have missed them. Anyway, I don't think it has the excuse of being an arsenal rebuild. I'm with you on its condition and I am not surprised there are no bids on it.

I looked for the United States Property mark on the left side and couldn't find it either. Could be the poor photography, a possible refinish. Also the right side of the slide is marked the way a commercial slide is marked (" Colt Automatic Calibre 45", not a military model ("Model of 1911 US Army"). Also, I couldn't make out the entire serial number on the right frame, and it is marked "Government Model" above the almost illegible serial number.

While it is obvious to me that this is a Commercial Model, the seller "hints" at this being a military model:

"early example of one of the most iconic sidearms in American military history. Manufactured in 1913 by Colt’s Manufacturing Company in the United States, this pistol was produced during the second year of formal U.S. military adoption of the M1911 platform.

Notably, this model includes several distinguishing military features such as a lanyard loop on the mainspring housing and an original half-dipped 7-round magazine with its own loop, as issued to the U.S. Army during the early 20th century. These original characteristics, combined with the serial number and manufacture date, affirm its authenticity and place in U.S. military history."

IMO, a real Colt 1911 Collector would spot these things immediately. Maybe the seller is uninformed, or just trying to fool a novice Colt 1911 collector. Shrug At any rate, buyer beware.

Harvey

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